2024-11-18 16:00:00
Less kilos and more kilos. Many diets cause a yo-yo effect. Now researchers have looked at the fat tissue of overweight people and found a fascinating explanation. Cell memory plays a huge role.
Regardless of whether the focus is on diet or lifestyle changes, weight loss strategies often lead to only short-term weight reduction. Then it rises again: this is called the yo-yo effect. It seems that the body remembers its maximum weight and always strives to get back there.
In fact, it seems that corresponding mechanisms exist in adipose tissue cells, as researchers led by Ferdinand von Meyenn of ETH Zurich report in the journal “Nature” report. The basis of this adipogenic memory is formed by so-called epigenetic changes in adipose tissue cells and probably also in other cell types such as neurons.
“It is precisely because there is a memory effect that it is so important to avoid being overweight in the first place,” says von Meyenn.
The activity of genes is called epigenetics, which is the decision about which genes in a cell are read at what time. Changes occur during development, for example when cells differentiate into nerve or liver cells. But they can also be caused by environmental factors or lifestyle.
These markers can remain stable for many years or decades and can sometimes even be inherited across generations.
The researchers compared the implementation of genetic information in adipose tissue cells of 18 non-obese (obese) people with the implementation in 20 obese men and women before and after significant weight loss (at least 25% reduction in BMI), which was in any case due to the reduction of the stomach. Similar analyzes were performed on lean, obese, and previously obese mice.
The research team was able to detect so-called epigenetic changes in adipose tissue cells that remained even after significant weight loss: they decided that genes remained active which, among other things, led to a persistent impairment of some metabolic processes.
Previously, fat mice with the corresponding epigenetic mark regained weight more quickly than normal-weight mice when given access to high-fat foods. “We have thus found a molecular basis for the yo-yo effect,” von Meyenn said. There is evidence of such a mechanism in humans too.
Almost a quarter of Germans are obese
“Overcoming this barrier to long-term treatment success is difficult,” the study states. Targeting underlying changes in adipose tissue and possibly other cells could potentially represent a new approach for better weight control.
However, it is currently not possible to change epigenetic markers in the cell nucleus with drugs and thus erase the epigenetic memory.
The scientists assume that similar memory mechanisms also apply in other areas: ”Although our experiments focused on obesity, it is plausible that epigenetic memory could also play a role in many other contexts, including addictions.”
Obesity is also associated with numerous other diseases such as diabetes, heart attack, stroke and cancer. According to the German Obesity Society, nearly a quarter of men and women in Germany are obese, meaning they have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 30.
dpa/gra
What are the biological mechanisms behind the “yo-yo effect” in weight loss?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: Understanding the “Yo-Yo Effect” in Weight Loss
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. von Meyenn! Thank you for joining us today. Your recent research on adipose tissue and the mechanisms behind the yo-yo effect in weight loss has captured a lot of attention. To start, can you explain to our audience what exactly the yo-yo effect is and why it’s becoming such a common phenomenon in weight loss journeys?
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: Good afternoon, and thank you for having me! The yo-yo effect refers to the cyclical pattern of losing weight through various diets or lifestyle changes, only to regain it shortly afterward. We’ve come to understand that this rebound happens partly because our bodies have a sort of “memory” of their past weight. Essentially, when someone loses weight, their body remembers its maximum weight and tends to revert to it, making sustained weight loss a challenging endeavor.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating, but how does this “memory” work biologically? You mention epigenetic changes in your research – can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: Absolutely. Epigenetics involves changes that regulate gene activity without altering the DNA sequence itself. When it comes to adipose tissue cells, we found that certain epigenetic markers can be significantly affected by an individual’s weight history. For example, when individuals lose a substantial amount of weight, some of these markers in their adipose cells don’t reset back to their original state. Instead, they “remember” the higher weight, which influences the body’s metabolism and appetite regulation.
Time.news Editor: So, it’s not just about lifestyle choices but also about these lasting cellular changes. How did you conduct your research to arrive at these findings?
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: Our study involved a comparison between the genetic expression in adipose tissue cells of individuals who were non-obese and those who were obese, both before and after significant weight loss. We focused on individuals with at least a 25% reduction in BMI, and we also conducted similar analyses on mice. By examining the epigenetic alterations in these cells, we unveiled how the body retains these markers over time, which can contribute to weight regain.
Time.news Editor: That’s impressive work! With the knowledge that you’ve gained, what implications do you believe it has for weight loss strategies and public health?
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: It’s clear now that prevention of overweight might be more critical than previously thought. If our findings hold true across broader populations, it suggests that once a person becomes overweight, even after losing weight, they may struggle with maintaining that loss due to these cellular memories. This could mean that long-term strategies focusing on lifestyle changes should begin much earlier in life to prevent the onset of overweight conditions.
Time.news Editor: This certainly raises important questions about how we approach weight management as a society. What advice would you give to individuals currently trying to lose weight, considering these findings?
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: My initial advice would be to adopt sustainable lifestyle changes that prioritize healthy eating and regular physical activity rather than extreme dieting which may lead to quick but temporary results. It’s vital to cultivate healthy habits that can be maintained long-term, thereby hopefully preventing the weight regain induced by our body’s memory systems.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for these insights, Dr. von Meyenn! This research sheds light on critical aspects of weight management that many of us might overlook. We appreciate your time and expertise!
Dr. Ferdinand von Meyenn: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important topic! I hope it encourages people to take a more informed approach to their health and well-being.